Carton and package

ABSTRACT

A carton of foldable material adapted for forming a package containing a flat object and a cylindrical object both of which are securely maintained in the finished carton.

United States Patent [151 3,642,125 Johnson 51 Feb. 15, 1972 [54] CARTON AND PACKAGE 2,426,865 9/1947 Fink ..229/27 X [72] lnventor: Gerald Frederick Johnson, Muscatine, 2470174 5/1949 Lewis et 3 x Iowa 1,901,036 3/1933 Kinkead ..206/47 R 1,748,256 2/1930 Tinsley ..229/27 X [73] Asslgneez Gram Processing Corporation, Muscatlne,

' Iowa Primary ExaminerLeonard Summer [22] F'led: 1970 AttorneyPendleton, Neuman, Williams & Anderson [21] Appl. No.: 7,941

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. ..206/47 R, 229/27, 229/33 [51] 1365;! 79/00, 365d 5/48 A carton of foldable material adapted for forming a package 58 Field of Search ..206/47 R; 229/33, 27 containing a flat object and a cylindrical object both of which are securely maintained in the finished carton.

[56] References Clted 4 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,593,895 4/1952 Kohl ..229/27 PATENTEUFEB 15 I972 3'. e42. 125

SHEET 2 BF 3 PATENTEDFEB 15 I972 3. 642. 1 25 SHEET 3 0F 3 HH IH CARTON AND PACKAGE This invention relates to a reusable shipping carton and a package formed therewith.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention there is provided a carton adapted for shipping via the mails and the like a flat object and a cylindrical object. The carton is compact and is constructed in such manner that the flat object and the cylindrical object forming the package are securely maintained therein and are prevented from moving during shipping and handling of the package. While various application of the present invention come to mind, the carton of this invention is admirably adapted to form a package consisting of a tape cassette and a cylindrical receptacle for a film strip. Thus, for example, a manufacturer could advantageously employ this invention for shipping to representatives or distributors a tape cassette and a film strip to provide them with both audio and visual information on new products and developments. The carton and package can be easily opened and reassembled and is susceptible for reuse by such recipients for forwarding information to others or relaying information to the originator.

The carton of the invention will be further described with reference to its use as a package for a tape cassette and a film strip and in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the finished package of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the package of the invention partially cut away to expose a portion of the interior and the contents thereof.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the package of the invention partially cut away to expose a portion of the interior and the contents thereof.

FIG. 4 is a plan view taken on the line 4-4 ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the inner face of a carton blank for forming the package of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a carton blank, a tape cassette holder and film strip holder forming a package according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 7 through 10 illustrate the manner oferecting the carton and a package in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 11 is a partial plan view ofa completed package of the invention with the top thereof partially broken away.

Thus, referring to the drawings, the carton blank 11 formed of a foldable sheet of paperboard or corrugated paperboard and the like is comprised of a bottom panel 12 which, as shown, is rectangular in shape and is ofa size to accommodate snugly a cassette holder 25, the customary dimensions of which are 2% inches in width, 4% inches in length and inch in height. End panels 13 and 14 fold on score lines 13f and 14f, respectively. Each of the end panels 13 and 14 are provided with a pair of tuck flaps 13a and 14a which fold inwardly on folding score lines l3afand 14af, respectively, cuts 13X, 13X, 14X and 14X being provided to enable folding of the tuck flaps 13a and 14a. End panels 13 and 14 are each provided with inwardly folding top retaining flaps 13b and 14b which fold inwardly on score lines l3bfand l4bf, respectively.

Blank 11 is provided with a short front section panel 15 which is defined by score line 15f and an inner top panel member 16 defined by score line 16]. It will be noted that the top panel 16 is somewhat shorter longitudinally than the front section panel 15 to facilitate erection of the carton as will be described hereinafter. A circular cutout 17 is provided in the top panel 16 for receiving a cylindrical container for a film strip or the like. The cutout 17 can vary in size and, for example, can have a diameter of approximately 1 /2 inches to receive a cylindrical container 35 in which there is placed a strip of 35 millimeter film or the like.

The blank 11 is formed with a rear wall portion 18 defined by folding score line 18fand an outer top panel 19 defined by score line 19f. Completing the carton blank 11 is a relatively small front section panel 20 defined by folding score line 20f and a bracing flap 22 defined by folding score line 22f. A semicircular cutout 23 corresponding in size to circular cutout 17 is provided in bracing flap 22.

In forming the package, the cassette tape holder 25 is placed on bottom panel 12 and the cylindrical film strip container 35 inserted into cutout 17 in top panel 16. The end panels 13 and 14 are then folded upwardly with tuck flaps 13a and 14a folded inwardly so as to envelop the cassette tape holder 25 as shown in FIG. 7. Next, the front section panel 15 is folded upwardly and top panel 16 folded inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 8. The retaining flaps 13b and 14b on the end panels 13 and 14, respectively, are then folded inwardly as in FIG. 9. It will be noted from FIG. 9 that the front section panel is of substantially the same size as tuck flaps 13a and 14a so that the top panel 16 rests on one of each of the flap pairs 13a and 14a. The height (transverse dimension) of the front section panel is preferably such as to permit the bottom of the cylindrical film strip container to rest on the cassette tape holder 25 thereby preventing movement thereof when the package is sealed. The final step in erecting the carton is to fold up the rear wall 18 and top panel 19 with bracing flap 22 being folded inwardly so that the cutout 23 engages cylindrical film strip holder 35. The bracing flap 22 is readily received in the space 24 provided between top panel 16 and retaining flaps 13b and 14b. When the carton is completely erected the short front section panel 15 together with front section panel 20 forms the front wall of the package 10 which is rectangular in shape as seen in FIG. 1. Y

The foregoing description has been given with respect to a carton for forming a package containing a cassette tape holder and a cylindrical holder for a strip of say 35 millimeter film. The dimensions of the various elements of such a carton are suitably as follows: bottom panel 25-2 7/8 inches X 4 /inches end panels 13 and 14-2% inches height X 2% inches width; tuck flaps 13A and 14A- 1 inches height X 1% inches width; retaining flaps 13B and 14Bl 7/8 inches X 2% inches; rear wall panel 182% inches height X 4 /2 inches width; top panel 193 inches X 4% inches; top panel 162 /2 inches X 4% inches panel section 15l% inches X 4 5/8 inches; panel section 20-6/8 inches X 4 /2 inches; and bracing flap 22l inch X 4 7/8 inches.

For packaging flat objects and cylindrical objects other than those discussed herein, the dimensions of the various carton elements can be suitably proportioned. Likewise, the various elements of the carton can be proportioned so as to form a finished carton which is generally rectangular or square in shape. For shipping the carton can be sealed by means of sealing tape as is customary and shipping labels can be attached thereto in normal manner.

Those modifications and equivalents which fall within the spirit of the invention are to be considered a part thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A carton of foldable material having a bottom panel, a rear wall panel hingedly connected to one margin of said bottom panel and a first front section panel hingedly connected to the opposite margin of said bottom panel, an inner top panel having a circular cutout therein hingedly connected to said first front section panel, an outer top panel hingedly connected to said rear wall panel and having hingedly connected thereto a second front section panel, said first and second front section panels cooperating to define a front wall, a folding flap portion having a semicircular cutout therein hingedly connected to said second front section panel and adapted for folding inwardly between said inner top panel and said outer top panel, a pair of end panels hingedly connected to opposite ends of said bottom panel, each of said end panels having connected therewith a pair of inwardly folding side tuck flaps and an inwardly folding top retaining flap.

2. A carton in accordance with claim 1 which when finished is generally rectangular in shape.

3. A package comprising a flat object and a cylindrical object disposed within a carton of flexible material having a bottom panel on which rests said flat object, a rear wall panel hingedly connected to one margin of said bottom panel and a first front section panel hingedly connected to the opposite margin of said bottom panel, an inner top panel hingedly connected to cylindrical object, a pair of end panels hingedly connected to opposite ends of said bottom panel, each of said end panels having connected therewith a pair of inwardly folding side tuck flaps and an inwardly folding retaining flap.

4. A package in accordance with claim 3 wherein said flat object is a holder for a tape cassette and said cylindrical object is a holder for a film strip. 

1. A carton of foldable material having a bottom panel, a rear wall panel hingedly connected to one margin of said bottom panel and a first front section panel hingedly connected to the opposite margin of said bottom panel, an inner top panel having a circular cutout therein hingedly connected to said first front section panel, an outer top panel hingedly connected to said rear wall panel and having hingedly connected thereto a second front section panel, said first and second front section panels cooperating to define a front wall, a folding flap portion having a semicircular cutout therein hingedly connected to said second front section panel and adapted for folding inwardly between said inner top panel and said outer top panel, a pair of end panels hingedly connected to opposite ends of said bottom panel, each of said end panels having connected therewith a pair of inwardly folding side tuck flaps and an inwardly folding top retaining flap.
 2. A carton in accordance with claim 1 which when finished is generally rectangular in shape.
 3. A package comprising a flat object and a cylindrical object disposed within a carton of flexible material having a bottom panel on which rests said flat object, a rear wall panel hingedly connected to one margin of said bottom panel and a first front section panel hingedly connected to the opposite margin of said bottom panel, an inner top panel hingedly connected to said first front section panel and having a circular cutout therein in which is disposed a cylindrical object, an outer top panel hingedly connected to said rear wall panel and having hingedly connected thereto a second front section panel, said first and second front section panels cooperating to define a front wall, a folding flap portion having a semicircular cutout therein hingedly connected to said second front section panel and folded inwardly between said inner top panel and said outer top panel with said cutout engaging the periphery of said cylindrical object, a pair of end panels hingedly connected to opposite ends of said bottom panel, each of said end panels having connected therewith a pair of inwardly folding side tuck flaps and an inwardly folding retaining flap.
 4. A package in accordance with claim 3 wherein said flat object is a holder for a tape cassette and said cylindrical object is a holder for a film strip. 